Download MSU Billings __________________________________________ Personnel Procedures

MSU Billings
Personnel Procedures
__________________________________________
POLICY REFERENCE: Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Policy
OTHER REFERENCES: Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, Public Law 100-690,
Title V, Subtitle D., Board of Regents Policy, 503.1, Drug-Free Schools and
Communities Act Amendments for 1989, Public Law 101-226.
DATE ADOPTED/REVISED: Revised: 9/01/10 Adopted 10/15/08
Compliance
Compliance with Montana State University Billings Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Prevention policy is a condition of continued employment. Violations of this policy
will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of
employment. An employee who violates the provisions of this policy may be
required to successfully complete a drug/alcohol abuse rehabilitation program as
an alternative to termination.
Legal Sanctions
Persons convicted of crimes involving the unlawful possession, use, or
distribution of illicit drugs or alcohol is subject to penalties under state law and
local ordinances. Local and state statutory penalties include the following:
A. Public drinking (Billings Municipal Code 3-202) – fine first offense $110.00.
B. Criminal sale or possession of dangerous drugs (Title 45, Chapter 9, MCA) fines from $100 to $50,000 and imprisonment from not more than six months to
life, depending on the type of drugs involved and the circumstances surrounding
the sale or possession.
Severe federal penalties exist for the use, possession and/or distribution of illicit
drugs, which include marijuana, speed, crack, and cocaine. Federal judges are
empowered to sentence offenders to a federal penitentiary or to mete out
substantial fines, depending on factors such as the drug and the nature of the
offense.
Health Risks
Abusive alcohol consumption and any use of illicit drugs are detrimental to
physical and mental health in a myriad of ways. Dependency on alcohol and illicit
drugs can take three forms:
A. Psychological craving, with antisocial behavior involved in the procurement of
the drug;
B. Physiologic dependence, whereby withdrawal symptoms are displayed
when the use drug is discontinued;
C. Tolerance, where there is a need to increase the dose of the drug to
obtain the desired effects.
Adverse effects of alcohol can include illnesses such as alcoholic liver disease and
cerebellar degeneration; impairment of social and occupational functioning,
including poor work performance; depression, frequent accidents, fights, family
abuse, suicide and homicide; acute intoxication, blackouts, alcoholic hallucinosis,
and delirium tremens.
A wide variety of medications and illicit drugs can also be abused. Associated
health risks include: dependency; acute intoxication with depression or euphoria;
altered time perception; impairment of immediate memory; overdose with
hallucinations, stupor, shock, coma, or death; acute withdrawal syndromes;
psychosis; or aggravation of existing mental illness.
For additional information about health risks and legal penalties, contact Human
Resources or Student Health Services.
Employee Education and Assistance Programs
An employee assistance program (EAP) is available to provide information or
confidential referral to drug and/or alcohol counseling or rehabilitation programs.
Employees needing help in dealing with drug/alcohol problems may contact
Human Resources for referrals to education, treatment, and rehabilitation
programs. Information relative to insurance coverage for such programs is also
available through Human Resources.
When supervisors feel they have an employee who may have a drug/alcohol
problem, they should contact the Director of Human Resources for guidance and
assistance in dealing with any aspect of the problem in the work setting.
A list of community based services is listed below
Requirement to Report a Drug Statute Conviction
In compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, employees are
required to notify their supervisor of a criminal drug statute conviction for a
violation occurring in the workplace within five days of the conviction. The
supervisor is then responsible for notifying the Director of Human Resources
immediately upon notice from the employee. If the employee is receiving federal
funding, the appropriate federal contracting agency will be notified within 10
days of notice of the conviction.
Community Resources
EAP Program – The Life Connection (TLC) ---1-866-248-4532
Rimrock Foundation---248-3175
Mental Health Center 252-5658
Alcoholics Anonymous Recovery Group ---254-2939
Al-Anon ---252-0677
Al-Anon/Alateen ---657-0776
Narcotics Anonymous---1-800-990-6262